• What are the scheduled dates of the program?
• Which specialties are covered during the January camp?
• How do I get to Bidada Hospital?
• What would be my duty as a Volunteer?
• Why should I remain with Bidada Sarvodaya Trust for a full week?
• How will I communicate with people in the field as well as patients? Do I need to know another language?
• Where will I be staying?
• How much should I donate?
• How long is a workday?
• What is the weather like in Kutch?
• What personal items should I pack?
• Which vaccinations should I take prior to coming to India?
• What will I be eating?
• Will there be filtered water?
• How can I be contacted while working at the camp?
• Is there a minimum age requirement?
• Why would I want to go to Bidada Medical Camp?
• Whom do I contact for my itinerary and personal information?
• Whom should I contact when I arrive in Mumbai?
• Is there a social gathering or cultural event?
• What information/recommendations are there for the train ride?
• Travel Schedule for Kutch Express Train
• What are some of the attractions nearby?
• Where are the local places of worship?
• What means of transportation will be available?
• What happens the first day of the Medical Camp?
• Inauguration Schedule
• Whom do I contact for the camp held at Upleta (Jan. 2nd – Jan. 11th)?
• What is the contact information for the Dessa-Palanpur Medical Camp?
• Useful Links

What are the scheduled dates of the program?

Twenty medical specialties are represented during the first three weeks of January each year. Please visit website www.bidada.org for a detailed schedule which includes the date for each specialty. Movo to Top

Which specialties are covered during the January camp?

General Surgery, Cancer, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Urology, Gastroenterology, Squint Eye, Asthma and Allergy, Orthopedic, Rehabilitation Medicine, Arthritis, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Rheumatic Heart, ENT, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Pediatrics (Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Cardiology, Hematology/Oncology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Physical Special Education), Epilepsy, Gynecology, General Check-ups, Pathology, X-ray, Prosthesis, and Orthosis. Movo to Top

How do I get to Bidada Hospital?

The Trust will provide you with a train ticket from Mumbai (Bombay Central Station) to Gandhidham. From there a chartered vehicle will take you from Gandhidham station to the Bidada hospital. The participants will need to inform the directors of their travel dates in order to book the trains as requested. Approximate distances and time: Mumbai to Gandhidham – 789 km/ 494 Miles, approximately 16 hours Gandhidham to Bidada- 92 km/ 58 miles approximately 2 hours Movo to Top

What would be my duty as a Volunteer?

As a volunteer you will participate in patient registration and guiding patients to various doctors. If you show interest in medical work, you will be able to aid doctors/nurses/medical staff during patient examinations as well as pre and post surgery work. Movo to Top

Why should I remain with Bidada Sarvodaya Trust for a full week?

A week of time will provide you with the background to get a feel of the medical camp and optimize your experience/work. For those of you coming from outside of India, the medical practice of India will seem very different. To get used to the machines and culture of medical practice in this country will take some time for all types of volunteers (including physicians and surgeons). Movo to Top

How will I communicate with people in the field as well as patients? Do I need to know another language?

The more experienced volunteers will be able to help you and translate from Kutchi to English, Gujarati, or Hindi. Most of the patients speak Hindi so knowing this language will give you a slight advantage, but it is not necessary to know the language in order to be of service to the patients. Movo to Top

Where will I be staying?

The Trust will provide you a room with a washroom and toilet. The rooms are set up to house up to five people with cots and blankets provided. Hot water is available per request and a laundry service is provided daily. Movo to Top

How much should I donate?

A donation is highly recommended to help the trust offset the cost of travel, lodging, food, etc. Suggested amount is $150.00 Movo to Top

How long is a workday?

Depending on your post, the workday is approximately 8-12 hours long starting at 8 A.M. Senior volunteers assign duties to each volunteer the night prior to each working day at nightly meetings at 9 P.M. Of course, there are fun activities planned in the evening should you chose to participate. Movo to Top

What is the weather like in Kutch?

The weather is mild with temperatures ranging 50-60° F at night and 60 to 75°F during the day. Movo to Top

What personal items should I pack?

Volunteers should bring a jacket, towels, personal toiletries, insect repellent, diuretics, medications, etc. Female volunteers are recommended to bring salwar kameez and shawls and male volunteers can bring trousers, jeans, t-shirts, and button down shirts. The village has a general store and drug store in case you need anything. Movo to Top

Which vaccinations should I take prior to coming to India?

The following are recommended vaccinations or treatment: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Booster, MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Meningitis, and Anti-malaria (available in tablet form). Movo to Top

What will I be eating?

All meals are standard Jain-Gujarati meals. The Trust has a cafeteria-style setting and will provide breakfast (7-8 A.M.), lunch (12-2 P.M.), and dinner (7-9 P.M.) each day. Usual meals consist of yogurt, khichdi, sabji, fruit, and various specialties. Movo to Top

Will there be filtered water?

Mineral water bottles as well as boiled water bottles will be made available for all volunteers free of charge. Movo to Top

How can I be contacted while working at the camp?

Family and friends can call the hospital phone (please see numbers above). There is also a STD/ISD Booth (Pay Phone) at the hospital that volunteers can use to call home at a personal cost. Movo to Top

Is there a minimum age requirement?

The minimum age requirement of a volunteer is 18 years, however hospital management is always there to monitor and escort volunteers who show interest at a younger age. The management or senior volunteers can be mentors, guiding and facilitating the volunteer in the adjustment process. Though Bidada Sarvodaya Trust takes every possible measure to ensure that all participants are safe, it is important to note that Bidada Sarvodaya Trust is not liable for anything that occurs to participants or their belongings at the camp. Please keep your valuable items locked at all times. Movo to Top

Why would I want to go to Bidada Medical Camp?

A chance to give back to others is invaluable. This organization is committed towards extending medical facilities to needy people in Kutch and its surrounding areas. The camp is a wonderful chance to serve others and helps to gain a sense of appreciation for what we have been blessed with. This medical camp is an opportunity to serve a noble cause at least once in a lifetime if not for many years to come. Movo to Top

Whom do I contact for my itinerary and personal information?

In case your itinerary is not correct or a correction is required, please send changes to vijaychheda@hotmail.com Movo to Top

Whom should I contact when I arrive in Mumbai?

Upon arrival in Mumbai, please contact one of the following people: Maru Hospital (Purvi or Anita) 2471 4446 / 2470 8111 Vijay Chheda 2614 0999 Navin Gangar 2620 6360 Movo to Top

Is there a social gathering or cultural event?

We do have culture events such as local folk singing, performances, and many other activities. Movo to Top

What information/recommendations are there for the train ride?

The departure from Mumbai to Gandhidham on the Kutch Express train (No. 9030) will be at 5:00 P.M from Bombay Central Station. Recommend arriving at the station at least 1 hour before departure. Please bring snacks if you feel you will need some or you can buy at the railway station. Pillows and blankets will be provided by the train staff but please bring your own water supply for the ride. Please note that you are responsible for your own safety and personal belongings during the train ride. Movo to Top

Travel Schedule for Kutch Express Train:

4:00 P.M. Arrive at Mumbai Central Stationto to board the Kutch Express Train 5:00 P.M. Kutch Express Train (No. 9030) departs Mumbai Central Station 8:30 to 9:00 P.M. Dinner will be provided 8.00 A.M. Kutch Express Train arrives at Gandhidham Look for people carrying Bidada Trust signs outside of the train station or inquire at the taxi stand outside the railway station for the location of Bidada Trust transportation services. Tea / Coffee can be purchased outside train station if desired 10:00 A.M. Visit Ancient Jain Temple Bhadreshwar temple 11:00 A.M. Arrive at Bidada Hospital where room assignments will be handed out by management. Movo to Top

What are some of the attractions nearby?

Name Distance Attractions Mandvi 10 Miles Beach, Market, Palace Bhuj 25 Miles Museum, Market, Fort, Airport VRTI 10 Miles Research & Training Institute for Agriculture & Water Harvest Mundra 29 Miles Tissue Culture Lab, Market Virayatan 10 Miles Education Institution conducted by Acharya Chandanashreeji Nature Cure 10 Miles Nature cure Hospital Movo to Top

Where are the local places of worship?

Name Distance Attractions 72 Jinalay 5 Miles Recently Built Bhadreshwar 35 Miles Under construction after earthquake, features a 500 year old Murti Vanki 25 Miles Recently Built Panch Tithi 70 Miles 5 Ancient Jain temples Movo to Top

What means of transportation will be available?

Rental taxies are available to visit above places. Movo to Top

What happens the first day of the Medical Camp?

There is an Opening Ceremony on the first day of camp to be held in January at the Bidada Hospital in Kutch. Movo to Top

Inauguration Schedule

4:00 pm Inauguration of Medical Camp 4:15 pm Prayer 4:30 pm Lighting of the Lamp 4:30 to 6:30 pm Medical Camp Function Trust Activities Introduction of Chief Guests Honoring of all Guests Speech from Chief Guests Earthquake Activities & Report Medical Camp Activities Vote of Thanks 6.45 pm Pictures with Chief Guests & Doctors /Volunteers from the USA 7:00 to 8:30 pm Dinner 8:30 to 9:30 pm Meeting with the Trust Board, Chief Guests, and Doctors/Volunteers from the USA. Movo to Top

Whom do I contact for the camp held at Upleta (Jan. 2nd – Jan. 11th)?

Contact in USA & India for Medical Camp at Upleta Saurashtra Sarvodaya Trust (Upleta) Mr. Ukabhai Solanki (USA) Work (323) 582-7222 / Home (626) 281-8017 ukasolanki@aol.com Mr. Naranbhai Sojitra (Upleta) (02628) 21487 / (02628) 20167 Mr. Manojbhai Solanki (Upleta) (02628) 20966/ 98252 3706 Movo to Top

What is the contact information for the Dessa-Palanpur Medical Camp?

Dessa Medical Camp Gandhi Lincoln Hospital Dessa, Palampur Dr. Hemant Shah Tel - 02744-227968 Email-hemantshah73@hotmail.com Movo to Top

Useful Links

Railway Information: www.indianrailways.gov.in www.indianrail.gov.in Flight Information: www.jetairways.com www.flykingfisher.com Kutch Information www.kutchforever.com www.panjokutch.com Movo to Top